Device for making nodular cast iron

ABSTRACT

A device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite by introducing metallic magnesium into an iron-carbon melt, includes a drum-shaped treatment vessel with a longitudinal axis. The vessel has an opening for charging and discharging the melt and a chamber is formed within the vessel for supplying magnesium into the melt. Disposed around the opening in the vessel is a collar which extends outwardly from the vessel and the axis of the collar is positioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. Further, as the axis of the collar extends outwardly it is inclined toward the opposite end of the vessel which contains the charge chamber. The treatment vessel is pivotally displaceable between three positions, a filling position, a treatment position, and a discharging position. When the vessel is in the filling position its longitudinal axis is horizontal, while in the other two positions its longitudinal axis is approximately vertical. In the filling position, the vessel opening and the charge chamber are located above the longitudinal axis. In the treatment position the charge chamber is located below the opening and their positions are reversed in the discharging position.

llnited States Patent [191 Lustenberger DEVICE FOR MAKING NODULAR CAST IRON [75] Inventor: Hans Lustenberger,Schaffhausen,

Switzerland [73] Assignee: Georg Fischer Aktiengesellschatt,

Schaffhausen, Switzerland 22 Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 294,273

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 5, 1971 Switzerland 14443/71 [52] U.S. Cl. 266/34 T, 266/39 [51] Int. Cl. C2lc 7/00 [58] Field of Search... 266/34 T, 39; 75/53, 54, 75/55, 56,57, 58, 93 R, 130 C [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 404,4l5 6/1889 Jones .1 266/39 1,847,782 3/1932 Parrish..... 266/39 2,698,749 1/1955 Fishell 266/34 T 3,724,829 4/1973 Alt 266/34 T FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 544,628 2/1956 Belgium 266/34 T 4,370 10/1878 GreatBritain ..'266/35 July 23, 1974 Primary ExaminerRoy Lake Assistant Examiner-James Coan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Toren, McGeady & Stanger [57] ABSTRACT A device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite by introducing metallic magnesium into an iron-carbon melt, includes a drum-shaped treatment vessel with a longitudinal axis. The vessel has an opening for charging and discharging the melt and a chamber is formed within the vessel for supplying magnesium into the melt. Disposed around the opening in the vessel is a collar which extends outwardly from the vessel and the axis of the collar is positioned at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis of the vessel. Fur ther, as the axis of the collar extends outwardly it is inclined toward the opposite end of the vessel which contains the charge chamber. The treatment vessel 'is pivotally displaceable between three positions, a filling position, a treatment'position, and a discharging position. When the vessel is in the filling position its longitudinal axis is horizontal, while in the other two positions its longitudinal axis is approximately vertical. In

the filling position, the vessel opening and the charge chamber are located above the longitudinal axis. In

;-the' treatment position the charge chamber is located below the opening and their positions are reversed in the discharging position.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures l DEVICE FOR MAKING" NODULAR CAST IRON SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite by introducing metallic magnesium into an iron-carbon melt and, more particularly, it is directed to a treatment vessel pivotally displaceable between a number of different operating positions and the vessel contains an opening 1 for charging and discharging the melt and a charge chamber for supplying magnesium into the melt.

In a known device, see British Patent No. 131,372, the charging chamber is located in the base of the treatment vessel and presents a number of openings communicating with the interior of the vessel so that, when the vessel is in the vertical position, the melt contacts the magnesium in the charging chamber in such a manner that a regulated, dosable evaporation of the magnesium takes place.

Since in this known device the axis for the opening for charging and discharging the melt is inclined away from the charging chamber, relative to the longitudinal axis of the treatment vessel, it has the disadvantage that the melt can be charged into and discharged from only one side of the vessel.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to providea treatment vessel which can be pivotally displaced in either direction abouta pivot axis so that the melt can be charged into the vessel in one position and then can be pivoted to another position for discharging the melt.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide a tiltable treatment vessel of low structural height so that it can be installed and used immediately adjacent the melting installation. 7

In accordance with the present invention, the treatment vessel differs from other known designs in that an outwardly extending collar is arranged about the vessel opening and the inner surfaces of the collar are in an outwardly diverging relationship. Further, the opening with the collar and the charging chamber for the magnesium are located on the same side of the vessel spaced from its longitudinal axis. Further, the axis of the collar is inclined in the direction of the charging chamber as it extends outwardly from the vessel and the collar axis forms an acute angle with the longitudinal axis of the treatment vessel. p

The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION O THE DRAWINGS In the drawingz FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a treatment vessel, embodying the present invention, arranged in the filling position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the treatment vessel shown in FIG. 1 but in the treatment position; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the treatment Vessel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the vessel located in the discharging position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As shown in FIGS. 1 3, the device for making nodular cast iron includes a drum-shaped treatment vessel -1 having a longitudinal axis 2, note FIG. 2, and lined with refractory material. Located in one end of the ves- 0 sel and spaced laterally from its longitudinal axis, is a charging chamber 3 for supplying metallic magnesium into the melt being treated. An opening extends through the treatment vessel 1 into the charging chamber 3 for introducing magnesium into the chamber and a plug-type stopper 4 provides a closure for the openmg.

At the opposite and of the treatment vessel 1 and located on the same side of the vessel as the charging chamber 3 is an opening 5 for charging the melt into and for discharging it from thetreatment vessel. As compared to the known treatment vessel designs used up until this time which used-a converging opening for charging and discharging the iron melt, the opening 5 has a collar 6 which extends outwardly from the vessel with its inner surfaces diverging as it extends outwardly from the opening 5. As indicated above, the opening 5 and the collar 6 are located on the same side of the vessel 1 as the charging chamber 3. The axis 7 of the opening 5 and its collar 6 is preferably inclined toward the charging chamber and forms, with the longitudinal axis 2, an acute angle a.

As indicated in each of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the treatment vessel 1 has a pivot axis 9 disposed perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis 2. By means of a known drive mechanism, the treatment vessel can be pivoted about the axis 9 either in the direction of the arrow 10, in FIG. 1, or the direction of the arrow 11, in FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, the vessel is shown with its longitudinal axis arranged horizontally and by pivotally displacing it in the direction of the arrow 10, the vessel assumes the treatment position illustrated in FIG. 2. From the position shown in FIG. 2, the vessel can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow 11 and inverted into the discharging position disclosed by FIG. 3. Further, the vessel 1 can be pivoted further than that shown in FIG. 3

.for completely draining the melt from the vessel. For

. slag dam 12 is positioned in the mouth of the collar it extends across the path of flow of the melt as it is discharged. In the filling position, shown in FIG. 1, the slag darn can be pivoted about its axis 13 so that it is displaced from the mouth of the collar.

If necessary, the collar6 can be arranged with its axis 7 inclined differently, as long as the angle the axis forms with the longitudinal axis 2 of the treatment vessel does not exceed In operation, initially the treatment vessel 1 is located in the filling position indicated by FIG. 1, and the iron melt to be treated is charged into. the vessel and magnesium in lump form is introduced into the charging cated under the spout 20 of a melting unit, such as a eupola or induction furnace, or of a conveyor bucket.

By pivoting the treatment vessel 1, in the direction of the arrow through approximatelys90", the treatment of the iron melt 8 is commenced. In the treatment position shown in FIG. 2, the longitudinal axis of the treatment vessel is approximately vertical and the charging chamber is located at the lower end of the vessel immersed in the melt. The contacting chamber 3 has openings and 16 located through its wall in communication with the interior of the vessel 1. The iron melt passes through one or more openings 15 into contact with the metallic magnesium and causes a controlled evaporation of the magnesium. The magnesium vapor, preferably discharging through the opening 16, reacts with the iron melt. r

After the conclusion of the treatment of the melt, the treatment vessel is pivoted about its pivot axis 9 in the direction of the arrow 11 in FIG. 2 until the treated melt commences to empty over the edge 17 of the collar 6 into a conveyor bucket or a pouring ladle 21. The discharging flow 18 is indicated by dashed linesin FIG. 3. During the discharging action, it is expedient to pivot the slag dam 12 into the mouth of the collar 6 so that the slag 19 formed during the magnesium treatment does not flow out with the melt. After the completion of the discharging operation, the treatment vessel can be pivoted back to the position shown in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the vessel is in position for the next treatment cycle.

Instead of the drum-shaped treatment vessel shown in FIGS. l-3, a square or rectangular vessel can also be used. The configuration of the treatment vessel and its pivoting mechanism affords pivoting motion in both directions up to 360 and provides the shortest pivoting movements between the various positions shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIG. 2, a line 23 is shown extending from the surface of the melt within the treatment vessel into the collar 6, and the line 23 indicates that there is no straight or direct path for any spatter, developing during the reaction between the metallic magnesium and the iron melt, out of the treatment vessel. As can be readily appreciated from FIG. 2, the path of the line 23 or any other line from the surface of the melt 8 as it passes over the inner edge 22 at the opening 5 will contact the inner surface of the collar. In other words, the arrangement of the collar 6 is such that a direct line of view to the melt in the treatment position of the vessel is not possible. This feature virtually eliminates any danger to the operating personnel. It is unnecessary to provide a cover over the opening 5.

By virtue of the present invention, the following advantages are obtainable. The melting unit, such as a cupola or induction furnace, can be placed in line with the treatment vessel and a conveyor bucket or pouring ladle for receiving the melt after it has been treated.

The discharge of the ironmelt is effected merely by pivoting the treatment vessel which effects a shortening of the overall treatment cycle. The shorter structural lengths of the treatment. vessel, made possible by the present invention, also afford a considerable saving in the space required. Filling, emptying and cleaning the treatment vessel of slag through its outwardly expanding collar is easier to accomplish than has been the case in previously known designs.

While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the inventive principles, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.

What is claimed is:

1. Device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite by introducing metallic magnesium into an iron-carbon belt, including a drum-shaped treatment vessel having a tubular shaped side wall extending between a pair of end walls, said treatment vessel having a longitudinal axis extending between and through said end walls and said vessel is tiltable about a pivot axis extending transversely of said longitudinal axis, means secured within said treatment chamber forming at least one charging chamber arranged in communication with the interior of said treatment chamber, said charging chamber located at one said end wall and spaced laterally from said longitudinal axis of said treatment vessel and defined in part by said side wall of said vessel, said charging chamber arranged to be charged from the exterior of said treatment vessel, said treatment vessel having an opening for introducing a melt into and discharging the melt from said treatment vessel, wherein the improvement comprises that said opening is spaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis from said charging chamber and said opening is located in said side wall and disposed adjacent the opposite end of said vessel from said charging chamber and is aligned in the longitudinal direction of said side wall with said charging chamber, a collar secured to the outer surface of I said treatment vessel and extending completely around said opening therein, said collar extending outwardly from said treatmentchamber with the inner surface of said collar diverging outwardly from said treatment chamber, and the axis of said collar and the longitudinal axis .of said treatment chamber forming an acute angle and the axis of said collar extending outwardly from said longitudinal axis is inclined toward said end wall of said vessel at which said charging chamber is located.

2. Device for making nodular cast iron,as set forth in claim 1, wherein said treatment vessel has a filling position, a treatment position and a discharging position, in the filling position of said treatment vessel its longitudinal axis extends horizontally with the opening in said treatment vessel located upwardly above the longitudinal axis, from the filling position said treatment vessel is tiltable in both directions about the pivot axis so that in one direction said treatment vessel tilts into the treatment position with its longitudinal axis approximately vertical and with its opening located above said charging chamber and in the other direction said treatment vessel tilts into the discharging position with its longitudinal axis approximately vertical and with its opening located below said charging chamber, in the treatment position of said treatment vessel the inner surface of said collar slopes downwardly as it extends outwardly from said treatment vessel so'that the line of possiblespatter from the melt within'the treatment vessel is intercepted by the interior surface of said collar.

3. Device for making nodular cast iron, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a sla'gdam is displaceably secured to said collar and is arranged to be positioned in the 4. Device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite introducing metallic magnesium into an ironcarbon melt, including a treatment vessel tiltable about a pivot axis, said vessel having a longitudinal axis, being secured within said treatment chamber and forming at least one charging chamber arranged in communication with the interior of said treatment chamber, said charging chamber spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis of said treatment vessel and arranged to be charged with magnesium from the exterior of said treatment vessel, said treatment vessel having an opening for introducing a melt into and discharging the melt from said treatment vessel, wherein the improvement comprises that said opening is spaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis from said charging chamber, a

collar is secured to said treatment chamber and extends around the opening therefrom, said collar extends outwardly from said treatment chamber, the axis of said collar and the longitudinal axis of said treatment form an acute angle, a slag dam displaceably secured to said collar and arranged to be positioned in the path of the melt discharged through said collar from the opening in said treatment vessel, and said slag dam has a pivot axis located on the end of said collar spaced outwardly from the opening in said treatment vessel so that said slag dam can be pivoted about its axis into the path of the melt to be discharged or can be displaced from the path of flow through said collar into said vessel. 

1. Device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite by introducing metallic magnesium into an iron-carbon belt, including a drum-shaped treatment vessel having a tubular shaped side wall extending between a pair of end walls, said treatment vessel having a longitudinal axis extending between and through said end walls and said vessel is tiltable about a pivot axis extending transversely of said longitudinal axis, means secured within said treatment chamber forming at least one charging chamber arranged in communication with the interior of said treatment chamber, said charging chamber located at one said end wall and spaced laterally from said longitudinal axis of said treatment vessel and defined in part by said side wall of said vessel, said charging chamber arranged to be charged from the exterior of said treatment vessel, said treatment vessel having an opening for introducing a melt into and discharging the melt from said treatment vessel, wherein the improvement comprises that said opening is spaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis from said charging chamber and said opening is located in said side wall and disposed adjacent the opposite end of said vessel from said charging chamber and is aligned in the longitudinal direction of said side wall with said charging chamber, a collar secured to the outer surface of said treatment vessel and extending completely around said opening therein, said collar extending outwardly from said treatment chamber with the inner surface of said collar diverging outwardly from said treatment chamber, and the axis of said collar and the longitudinal axis of said treatment chamber forming an acute angle and the axis of said collar extending outwardly from said longitudinal axis is inclined toward said end wall of said vessel at which said charging chamber is located.
 2. Device for making nodular cast iron, as set forth in claim 1, wherein said treatment vessel has a filling position, a treatment position and a discharging position, in the filling position of said treatment vessel its longitudinal axis extends horizontally with the opening in said treatment vessel located upwardly above the longitudinal axis, from the filling position said treatment vessel is tiltable in both directions about the pivot axis so that in one direction said treatment vessel tilts into the treatment position with its longitudinal axis approximately vertical and with its opening located above said charging chamber and in the other direction said treatment vessel tilts into the discharging position with its longitudinal axis approximately vertical and with its opening located below said charging chamber, in the treatment position of said treatment vessel the inner surface of said collar slopes downwardly as it extends outwardly from said treatment vessel so that the line of possible spatter from the melt within the treatment vessel is intercepted by the interior surface of said collar.
 3. Device for making nodular cast iron, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a slag dam is displaceably secured to said collar and is arranged to be positioned in the path of the melt discharged through said collar from the opening in said treatment vessel.
 4. Device for making nodular cast iron with nodular graphite introducing metallic magnesium into an iron-carbon melt, including a treatment vessel tiltable about a pivot axis, said vessel having a longitudinal axis, being secured within said treatment chamber and forming at least one charging chamber arranged in communication with the interior of said treatment chamber, said charging chamber spaced laterally from the longitudinal axis of said treatment vessel and arranged to be charged with magnesium from the exterior of said treatment vessel, said treatment vessel having an opening for introducing a melt into and discharging the melt from said treatment vessel, wherein the improvement comprises that sAid opening is spaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis from said charging chamber, a collar is secured to said treatment chamber and extends around the opening therefrom, said collar extends outwardly from said treatment chamber, the axis of said collar and the longitudinal axis of said treatment form an acute angle, a slag dam displaceably secured to said collar and arranged to be positioned in the path of the melt discharged through said collar from the opening in said treatment vessel, and said slag dam has a pivot axis located on the end of said collar spaced outwardly from the opening in said treatment vessel so that said slag dam can be pivoted about its axis into the path of the melt to be discharged or can be displaced from the path of flow through said collar into said vessel. 